Sudanese parliament will not leave any bill behind – speaker
December 6, 2009 (KHARTOUM) — The Speaker of the National Assembly asserted today that the parliament will devote its two weeks to legislative work and will not leave any bill behind before end its latest session.
However, till now key bills related to the southern Sudan and Abyei referendums and national security law besides other bills are not yet passed by the parliament.
The remarks come one day before an important protest the opposition parties and the SPLM intend to hold on Monday outside the National Assembly which the SPLM boycotts since October.
Speaker Ahmed Ibrahim Al-Tahir reaffirmed today that the federal chamber is ready to resume its work after El-Eid recess. He further announced that there are ten laws ready for deliberations adding the draft Law on Trade Unions will be tomorrow before the Parliament.
He added that the draft of the National Security Act will be discussed on December 14, pointing out that the laws that were in dispute between the two partners will be sanctioned as well.
Speaking to Sudan TV, the minister of Justice Abdel Bassit Sabdarat stressed the keenness of the National Congress Party to pass the disputed bills before the end of the current session.
Also he added that on the southern Sudan referendum they diverge with the SPLM only on the voter turnout, while on Abyei the difference is on who will participate in the referendum.
Al-Tahir called on all members of Parliament to participate actively in meetings of the Council remaining life of the current session. .
Sudanese police banned a protest outside the parliament in favor of the quick adoption of the disputed laws.
The country will witness first democratic election next year where the presidents of the republic and southern Sudan government will be elected besides the governors and legislators for the federal and states chambers.
The SPLM which is a member of the unity government since 2005 considers an alliance with the opposition forces for the presidential election and seek to coordinate with them on the national legislative election.
(ST)